Systems and methods for throat imaging

ABSTRACT

A portable handheld system for imaging of a throat of a patient, including: a mouthpiece including at least one bite guide for stabilizing the mouthpiece with respect to teeth of the patient when the patient bites on the at least one bite guide; intraoral optics operable to collect light from the throat of the patient and to direct the light towards an imaging sensor; and an imaging sensor operable to capture light directed by the intraoral optics to provide an image of the throat; wherein a mechanical connection between the mouthpiece and the intraoral optics constrains a spatial relationship of the intraoral optics with respect to the mouthpiece so that when the patient bites on the at least one bite guide: the intraoral optics is stabilized by the mouthpiece inside a mouth of the patient having a FOV which includes at least part of a tonsil of the patient.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 62/163,468, filing date May 19, 2015.

FIELD

The invention related to systems and methods for throat imaging, andespecially to systems and methods for imaging tonsils.

BACKGROUND

Visual inspection of the throat, and especially of the tonsils, providesdata indicative of various physiological conditions such as sore throat,tonsillitis (an infection in the tonsils), pharyngitis (inflammation ofthe pharynx), strep throat, mononucleosis, gastric reflux.

Such visual inspection is traditionally performed manually byphysicians, and may also be performed using specialized equipment(especially cameras) by trained personnel, which was specificallytrained in order how to obtain images of the throat of sufficientquality, using the specialized equipment. Some forms of visualinspection deeper down the throat (such as laryngoscopy) may evenrequire anesthetization in addition to expert operation of thelaryngoscope.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional, traditional, andproposed approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art,through comparison of such approaches with the subject matter of thepresent application as set forth in the remainder of the presentapplication with reference to the drawings.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

According to an aspect of the invention, a system for imaging of athroat of a patient is disclosed, the system including: (a) a mouthpieceincluding at least one bite guide for stabilizing the mouthpiece withrespect to teeth of the patient when the patient bites on the at leastone bite guide; (b) intraoral optics operable to collect light from thethroat of the patient and to direct the light towards an imaging sensor,the intraoral optics being mechanically coupled to the mouthpiece; and(c) an imaging sensor operable to capture light directed by theintraoral optics to provide an image of the throat; wherein themechanical connection between the mouthpiece and the intraoral opticsconstrains a spatial relationship of the intraoral optics with respectto the mouthpiece so that when the patient bites on the at least onebite guide: the intraoral optics is stabilized by the mouthpiece insidea mouth of the patient having a field of view which includes at leastpart of a tonsil of the patient; wherein the system is a portablehandheld system

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system is disclosedwherein the spatial relationship of the intraoral optics with respect tothe mouthpiece as constrained by the mechanical connection, enables theimaging sensor to image the at least part of the tonsil when a tongue ofthe patient is not mechanically forced down.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system is disclosedfurther including a tongue depressor mechanically connected to themouthpiece so as to enable the tongue depressor to depress a tongue ofthe patient when the patient bites on the at least one bite guide.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system is disclosedwherein the imaging sensor is mechanically connected to mouthpiece so asto constrain a spatial relationship in which the imaging sensor islocated in the oral cavity proper of the patient during the capturing ofthe image.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system is disclosedwherein the mechanical connection between the mouthpiece and theintraoral optics constrains a spatial relationship of the intraoraloptics with respect to the at least one bite guide such that theintraoral optics are located in the oral cavity proper of the patientwhen the patient bites on the at least one bite guide.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system is disclosedwherein the imaging sensor is operable to capture the image when aposteriormost optical component of the intraoral optics is locatedposterosuperiorly to an inferiormost point of any maxillary centralincisor of the patient.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system is disclosedfurther including a handgrip for gripping the system by the patient, forcarrying the system by the patient to a position in which the patientcan bite on the at least one bite guide.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system is disclosedfurther including a user interface operable to indicate to the patientwhen a location of the mouthpiece enables capturing of the image by theimaging sensor.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system is disclosedwherein the mouthpiece includes an opening through which passes atraversing optical path from the intraoral optics to the imaging sensor,wherein the opening is located closer to a top part of the mouthpiecethan to a bottom part of the mouthpiece.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system is disclosedfurther including a processor configured and operable to triggercapturing of the image by the imaging sensor in response to informationreceived from at least one detector of the system, wherein a distancebetween the processor and a posteriormost bite guide out of the at leastone bite guide is smaller than 10 centimeters.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system is disclosedfurther including a processor configured and operable to triggercapturing of the image by the imaging sensor based on determining that atongue of the patient is extended outside a mouth of the patient andtouches an extraoral part of the system.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system is disclosed,further including a display which is mechanically connected to themouthpiece, the display being operable to display images concurrently tothe capturing of the image by the imaging sensor.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system is disclosed,further including a display, operable to display instructions indicativeof a required change in a state of the system, for enabling acquisitionof the image.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system is disclosed,wherein the processor is configured and operable to provide to anexternal system image data obtained by the imaging sensor, fordisplaying on a monitor of the external system.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system is disclosed,including a casing including the imaging sensor, the casing including amechanical fastener for connection of specula used for investigatingbody orifices; wherein the mouthpiece separable from the casing, andincludes a at least one fastener for mechanically detachably fasteningmouthpiece to the mechanical fastener of the casing; wherein the systemincludes at least one speculum for examination of a body orificeselected from the group consisting of: ear, nostril, rectum, and vagina;wherein the imaging sensor is further operable to capture an image ofthe body orifice when the speculum is at least partly inserted into arespective body orifice of the patient.

According to an aspect of the invention, a bitable camera stabilizationsystem is disclosed, the bitable camera stabilization system including:(a) a bitable support including a at least one bite guide forstabilizing the bitable support with respect to teeth of the patientwhen the patient bites on the at least one bite guide; (b) intraoraloptics operable to collect light from the throat of the patient and todirect the light towards an internal optical path intrinsic to thebitable support, the intraoral optics being mechanically connected tothe bitable support; wherein the mechanical connection between thebitable support and the intraoral optics constrains a spatialrelationship of the intraoral optics with respect to the bitable supportso that when the patient bites on the at least one bite guide: theintraoral optics is stabilized by the bitable support inside a mouth ofthe patient having a field of view which includes at least part of atonsil of the patient; (c) at least one fastener for mechanicallydetachably fastening the bitable support to an external portablehandheld camera which includes an imaging sensor, so as to create anoptical path between the intraoral optics and the imaging sensor, theoptical path including the internal optical path and an external opticalpath passing within the portable handheld camera.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a bitable camerastabilization system is disclosed, wherein the at least one fastener isoperable to mechanically detachably fasten the bitable support to theexternal portable handheld camera for stabilizing the imaging sensorwith respect to the at least one bite guide, so that when the patientbites on the at least one bite guide, the imaging sensor is stable withrespect to a throat of the patient.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a bitable camerastabilization system is disclosed, wherein the spatial relationship ofthe intraoral optics with respect to the bitable support constrained bythe mechanical connection, enables the intraoral optics to collectinglight arriving from at least part of the tonsil when a tongue of thepatient is not mechanically forced down.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a bitable camerastabilization system is disclosed, further including a tongue depressormechanically connected to the bitable support so as to enable the tonguedepressor to depress a tongue of the patient when the patient bites onthe at least one bite guide.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a bitable camerastabilization system is disclosed, wherein the mechanical connectionbetween the bitable support and the intraoral optics constrains aspatial relationship of the intraoral optics with respect to the atleast one bite guide such that the intraoral optics are located in theoral cavity proper of the patient when the patient bites on the at leastone bite guide.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a bitable camerastabilization system is disclosed, wherein the mechanical connectionbetween the bitable support and the intraoral optics constrains aspatial relationship of the intraoral optics with respect to the atleast one bite guide such that a posteriormost optical component of theintraoral optics is located posterosuperiorly to an inferiormost pointof any maxillary central incisor of the patient when the patient biteson the at least one bite guide.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a bitable camerastabilization system is disclosed, further including a handgripconnected to the bitable support for carrying the system by the patientto a position in which the patient can bite on the at least one biteguide.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a bitable camerastabilization system is disclosed, wherein an opening of the internaloptical path is located closer to a top part of the bitable support thanto a bottom part of the bitable support.

According to an aspect of the invention, a method for imaging of athroat of a patient is disclosed, the method including: (a) stabilizingintraoral optics with respect to a mouth of the patient, by a mouthpiecewhich is connected to the intraoral optics and which is stabilized withrespect to the mouth by teeth of the patient which bite on at least onebite guide; and (b) during the stabilizing, capturing light directed bythe intraoral optics, to provide an image of the throat which include atleast part of a tonsil of the patient; wherein the intraoral optics andthe mouthpiece are parts of a portable handheld system.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,wherein the stabilizing includes constraining a spatial relationship ofthe intraoral optics with respect to the mouthpiece so that when thepatient bites on the at least one bite guide: the intraoral optics isstabilized by the mouthpiece inside a mouth of the patient having afield of view which includes at least part of a tonsil of the patient.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,wherein the stabilizing further includes stabilizing with respect to themouth of the patient an imaging sensor which is mechanically connectedto the mouthpiece and which executes the capturing of the image.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,wherein the capturing includes capturing the image when a tongue of thepatient is not mechanically forced down.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,further including depressing a tongue of the patient concurrently to thecapturing.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,wherein the stabilizing includes stabilizing the intraoral optics withinthe oral cavity proper of the patient.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,wherein the stabilizing includes stabilizing a posteriormost opticalcomponent of the intraoral optics posterosuperiorly to an inferiormostpoint of any maxillary central incisor of the patient.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,further including indicating to the patient when a location of themouthpiece enables capturing of the image.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,including displaying images concurrently to the capturing by a displaywhose distance from a posteriormost bite guide out of the at least onebite guide is smaller than 10 centimeters.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,further including displaying instructions indicative of a change in astate of the system which is required for enabling acquisition of theimage.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,further including providing to an external system image data of thethroat of the patient, for displaying on a monitor of the externalsystem.

According to an aspect of the invention, a method for imaging of athroat of a patient is disclosed, the method including: (a) insertingpartly into a mouth of the patient a mouthpiece of a portable handheldsystem which includes an imaging sensor which is mechanically connectedto the mouthpiece, the inserting including inserting into the mouthintraoral optics that are mechanically connected to the mouthpiece; (b)biting by the patient on at least one bite guide of the mouthpiece forstabilizing the mouthpiece with respect to the mouth, therebystabilizing the intraoral optics within the mouth having a field of viewwhich includes at least part of a tonsil of the patient; and (c)resuming the stabilizing at least until the imaging sensor captures animage of the throat of the patient which includes at least part of atonsil of the patient.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,wherein the inserting is executed by the patient.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,further including uttering a voice at least partly concurrently to theresuming, thereby lowering a tongue of the patient within the mouth forexposing the at least part of the tonsil to the intraoral optics.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,wherein the inserting includes gripping a handgrip of the portablehandheld system by the patient and moving the portable handheld systemby the patient by moving the handgrip.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,wherein the inserting is executed by the patient in response toindications by the portable handheld system indicating when a locationof the mouthpiece enables capturing of the image.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,wherein the inserting is executed by the patient in response toinstructions by the portable handheld system indicating a change in astate of the system which is required for acquisition of the image.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,wherein the inserting is executed by the patient in response to imagedata captured by the imaging sensor which is displayed on a monitor ofan external system detached from the portable handheld system.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,further including: detaching the mouthpiece from a casing of theportable handheld system which includes the imaging sensor; connectionto the casing a speculum for examination of a body orifice selected fromthe group consisting of: ear, nostril, rectum, and vagina; and holdingthe portable handheld system when the speculum is at least partlyinserted into a respective body orifice of the patient at least untilthe imaging sensor captures an image of the body orifice.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,wherein the holding is followed by opening the mouth by the patient, soas to release a holding of the portable handheld system.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,wherein the holding is followed by removing the portable handheld systemfrom the mouth of the patient, after the patient opened the mouth forreleasing the portable handheld system.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,further including receiving from a medical expert a result of adiagnosis by the medical expert which is based on the image.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed,further including receiving from a medical expert a medicalrecommendation for treating a medical condition identified by themedical expert based on the image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carriedout in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way ofnon-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a systemfor imaging of a throat of a patient, in accordance with examples of thepresently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a system for imaging of athroat of a patient, in accordance with examples of the presentlydisclosed subject matter;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a systemfor imaging of a throat of a patient, in accordance with examples of thepresently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a systemfor imaging of a throat of a patient, in accordance with examples of thepresently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 5 is a side view diagram illustrating an example of a system forimaging of a throat of a patient located with respect to a patient whobites on bite guides of the system, in accordance with examples of thepresently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 6 is a side view diagram illustrating an example of a system forimaging of a throat of a patient located with respect to a patient whobites on bite guides of the system, in accordance with examples of thepresently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a systemfor imaging of a throat of a patient, in accordance with examples of thepresently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a systemfor imaging of a throat of a patient, in accordance with examples of thepresently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an architecture ofa system for performing a self-guided medical examination, in accordancewith examples of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating one example of asystem as a diagnostic device which is configured to perform medicalexamination of the patient, in accordance with examples of the presentlydisclosed subject matter;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example ofdiagnostic sensors configured to acquire medical data, in accordancewith examples of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 12A is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of abitable camera stabilization system, in accordance with examples of thepresently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 12B is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of abitable camera stabilization system when connected to external portablehandheld camera, in accordance with examples of the presently disclosedsubject matter;

FIG. 12C is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of abitable camera stabilization system, when connected to external portablehandheld camera and when the patient bites on the bite guides of thesystem, in accordance with examples of the presently disclosed subjectmatter

FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C are functional block diagrams illustratingexamples of bitable camera stabilization systems, in accordance withexamples of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are functional block diagrams illustrating examples ofbitable camera stabilization systems, when connected to externalportable handheld camera 3000, in accordance with examples of thepresently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for imagingof a throat of a patient, in accordance with examples of the presentlydisclosed subject matter;

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate optional sub-stages of stages of the methodof FIG. 16, in accordance with examples of the presently disclosedsubject matter;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for imagingof a throat of a patient, in accordance with examples of the presentlydisclosed subject matter;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating an example of method 600, inaccordance with examples of the presently disclosed subject matter.Method 600 is a method for imaging of a throat of a patient; and

FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of asystem for imaging of a throat of a patient, in accordance with examplesof the presently disclosed subject matter.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements for clarity. Further, where consideredappropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures toindicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have notbeen described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

In the drawings and descriptions set forth, identical reference numeralsindicate those components that are common to different embodiments orconfigurations.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the followingdiscussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specificationdiscussions utilizing terms such as “processing”, “determining”,“generating”, “selecting”, or the like, include action and/or processesof a computer that manipulate and/or transform data into other data,said data represented as physical quantities, e.g. such as electronicquantities, and/or said data representing the physical objects. Theterms “computer”, “processor”, and “controller” should be expansivelyconstrued to cover any kind of electronic device with data processingcapabilities, including, by way of non-limiting example, a personalcomputer, a server, a computing system, a communication device, aprocessor (e.g. digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller, afield programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), etc.), any other electronic computing device, and or anycombination thereof.

The operations in accordance with the teachings herein may be performedby a computer specially constructed for the desired purposes or by ageneral purpose computer specially configured for the desired purpose bya computer program stored in a computer readable storage medium.

As used herein, the phrase “for example,” “such as”, “for instance” andvariants thereof describe non-limiting embodiments of the presentlydisclosed subject matter. Reference in the specification to “one case”,“some cases”, “other cases” or variants thereof means that a particularfeature, structure or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment(s) is included in at least one embodiment of the presentlydisclosed subject matter. Thus the appearance of the phrase “one case”,“some cases”, “other cases” or variants thereof does not necessarilyrefer to the same embodiment(s).

It is appreciated that certain features of the presently disclosedsubject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context ofseparate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a singleembodiment. Conversely, various features of the presently disclosedsubject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesub-combination.

In embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter one or morestages illustrated in the figures may be executed in a different orderand/or one or more groups of stages may be executed simultaneously andvice versa. The figures illustrate a general schematic of the systemarchitecture in accordance with an embodiment of the presently disclosedsubject matter. Each module in the figures can be made up of anycombination of software, hardware and/or firmware that performs thefunctions as defined and explained herein. The modules in the figuresmay be centralized in one location or dispersed over more than onelocation.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of system200, which is a system for imaging of a throat of a patient, inaccordance with examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. Asdiscussed below in greater detail, system 200 may be used by the patientherself for imaging her own throat (whether for her own use, or to beused by another person or system, such as a medical personal or amedical system). However, system 200 may also be used for imaging thethroat of the patient by another person.

System 200 is a portable handheld system. That is, the physicaldimensions of system 200, as well as its weight and the materials it ismade of, enable a person to carry it on her person unassisted, and tooperate it without any external mechanical support. System 200 istherefore sufficiently small and light to be operated while held in oneor both hands (or in some cases, as will be demonstrated below, held bythe teeth of the patient). Depending on its designated target audience,system 200 may be designed to be sufficiently small and light to behandled by an unassisted child.

System 200 includes imaging sensor 250, which may be for example acamera, a charge coupled device (CCD) array, and so on. System 200further includes optics for directly light from the throat of thepatient (and possibly also from the mouth or other intraoral parts ofthe patient). Such optics include intraoral optics 240 (represented inthe illustrative example of FIG. 1 by a single lens) which are operableto collect light at least from the throat of the patient (and possiblyalso from other parts) and to direct the light towards imaging sensor250, when intraoral optics 240 are located within a mouth of thepatient. It is noted that the term “optics” refers to an array of one ormore optical component. The optics (whether intraoral or extraoral) mayinclude any known optical component, such as lenses, mirrors, prisms,optical filters, optical fibers, etc.).

In addition to directing of the light (e.g. by refraction, reflection,diffraction, etc.), intraoral optics (or other optics of system 200) mayalso be used to otherwise manipulate the light (e.g. by filtering itbased on wavelength, amplitude, etc.). It is noted that the optics ofsystem 200 may further include extraoral optics (not shown in FIG. 1),for further directing, refracting or otherwise manipulating of lightbefore it reaches imaging sensor 250 (if the latter is located outsidethe mouth during image acquisition). Imaging sensor 250 is operable tocapture light directed by intraoral optics 240 (some or all of thatlight) to provide an image of the throat.

Intraoral optics 240 are mechanically connected to mouthpiece 210, forsupporting intraoral optics 240 by mouthpiece 210. Such a connection maybe a rigid connection, a semirigid connection, and so on. Furthermore,other parts of system 200 may also be mechanically connected tomouthpiece 210 for support (e.g. extraoral optics if any, imaging sensor250, a display if any, etc.). Such mechanical connections may be directmechanical connection, or intermediated mechanical connection (via oneor more connecting components such as washer, spacer, screw, bearing,fastener, etc.). Optionally, one or more of the mechanical connectionsbetween mouthpiece 210 and any other component of system 200 (e.g.optical components, imaging sensor 250, power source, etc.) may beattached detachably and reattachably (e.g. for connecting the imagingsensor of a multipurpose camera to mouthpiece 210, to serve as imagingsensor 250).

The mechanically coupling may be used to stabilize intraoral optics 240(and possibly also imaging sensor 250 and intermediating opticalcomponents) and the imaged object (e.g. a selected portion of thepharynx) on the same mechanical axis.

Referring to mouthpiece 210, system 200 includes mouthpiece 210 whichcan be placed partly inside a mouth of the patient, and held by thepatient using her teeth, possibly with additional holding of her lip orlips (but not necessarily so).

Mouthpiece 210 includes at least one bite guides 230 onto which thepatient may bite when mouthpiece 210 is located partly inside her mouth,for securing mouthpiece 210. The at least one bite guides 230 are usedfor stabilizing mouthpiece 210 with respect to teeth of the patient whenthe patient bites on one or more of the at least one bite guides 230.The stabilization of the mouthpiece 210 results in stabilization of atleast one other component of system 200 mechanically connected tomouthpiece 210 (e.g. some or all of intraoral optics 240 and/or imagingsensor 250), when the patient bites on the at least one bite guides 230.Based on the way mouthpiece 210 and the one or more bite guides 230connected to it are usable for stabilization of system 200 (or at leastfew of its components) are stabilized with respect to the mouth of thepatient, mouthpiece 210 may be regarded as a bitable mechanical support.

The concepts of stability and of stabilizing one object with respect toanother are well accepted in the art. The term “stability” which is wellaccepted in the art, should be construed in a non-limiting way toinclude the quality or state of something that is not easily changed ormoved, either by external forces or by internal forces. The term“stable” which is well accepted in the art, should be construed in anon-limiting way to include the quality or state of being relativelyunchanging, and firmly fixed. The concept of “stabilizing a first objectwith respect to a second object” is well accepted in the art, and shouldbe construed in a non-limiting way to include keeping the spatialrelationship between the first object and the second object not easilychangeable, and making it difficult to move the first object withrespect to the second object, either by external forces or by forcesinternal to any one of the first and second objects.

The term “bite on an object” is well accepted in the art, should beconstrued in a non-limiting way to include applying force onto theobject by one or more teeth. It is noted that while biting on an objectmay include applying the force by the teeth in the coronal direction(the direction towards the crown of a tooth, as opposed to apical, whichrefers to the direction towards the tip of the root), biting on anobject may also include applying force by the teeth on the object inother directions, especially in the lingual direction (in the directiontowards the tongue) or in the facial direction (from the side of thetooth which is adjacent to the inside of the cheek or of the lip,outwards towards the cheek or the lip).

It is noted that system 200 may include bite guide (or bite guides) 230fitting for biting with maxillary teeth (i.e. teeth of the upper jaw,e.g. maxillary incisors, maxillary premolars, etc.), bite guide (or biteguides) 230 fitting for biting with mandibular teeth (i.e. teeth of thelower jaw, e.g. mandibular incisors, mandibular molars, etc.), or acombination of both.

The extent to which the patient needs to open her mouth for biting onsystem 200 may be determined based on various factors, such as lightinglevel, comfort, effect on positioning and/or visibility of differentbody organs, and so on. Optionally, system 200 may be designed in orderto minimize the extent to which the mouth needs to open in order toallow operation of system 200. Optionally, the acquisition of the imageby imaging sensor 250 is executed when the maxillary teeth and themandibular teeth are less than 50% of their maximum opening. Optionally,the acquisition of the image by imaging sensor 250 is executed when adistance between the maxillary incisors and the mandibular incisors isless than 3 centimeters.

Referring to the at least one bite guide 230, it is noted that system200 may include bite guides 230 matching to different subgroup of teeth(e.g. incisors only, incisors and canines, canines and premolars, etc.),depending on various factors such as necessary bite strength, locationsof other components of system 200, and so on. It is noted that it is notnecessary that all of the teeth of any of the jaws will touch the biteguides 230 for stabilization, and that stabilization may be achievedwith a limited number of teeth.

It is noted that the shape of any one or more bite guide 230 (or thespatial relation between two or more bite guides 230) may optionally beadjustable by the patient (or by another person), to better fit a mouthof a specific patient. However, optionally a shape of mouthpiece 210 isunadjustable for fitting to the patient prior to the biting (a “one sizefits all” implementation).

Furthermore, system 200 may include a plurality of superfluous biteguides 230, e.g. in order to match different mouth sizes, whilestabilization may be achieved by biting of only few of them (e.g. bitinginto one upper bite guide 230 and one lower bite guide 230).

The stabilization of mouth piece 210 may be achieved by pressing ofteeth of the patient against the bite guide 230. Counterforce for thebiting of any of the teeth may be provided by biting with teeth of theopposite jaw, or with supporting with other parts of the mouth (e.g.gums, lips). Optionally, system 200 may include a superior bite guide(conveniently denoted 231, for differentiation) and an inferior biteguide (conveniently denoted 232, for differentiation), where beststabilization is achieved when the patient bites onto both of these biteguides simultaneously, but this is not necessarily so.

It is noted that the one or more bite guides 230 may be implemented in awide variety of forms, shapes, and materials, and therefore only fewexamples will be provided. By way of non-limiting examples only, thebite guides may take any one of the following forms:

-   -   a. One or more protrusions extending outwards of mouthpiece 210        (e.g. as exemplified in FIG. 1). Such one or more protrusions        may have different shapes (e.g. circular, elongated, etc.), and        each one of them may be designed to support one or more teeth of        the patient. Such protrusions may be designed to be supported by        anterior parts of the teeth, by posterior parts of the teeth, or        both.    -   b. One or more depressions extending into mouthpiece 210, each        such depression matching for one or more teeth of the patient.    -   c. A groove in mouthpiece 210 into which a plurality of teeth of        the patient may be inserted for support (e.g. as exemplified in        FIG. 2).    -   d. A soft material (e.g. rubber, other materials having hardness        lower than 70 a shore.), into which the patient may bite,        thereby depressing it into a shape which provides support to the        teeth.    -   e. An external frame distanced from a body of mouthpiece 210 by        at least one separator (e.g. washer).

It is noted that optionally, a biting guide 230 of system 200 may beergonomically shape to follow a curve of a plurality of teeth out of acorresponding dental arch (e.g. the maxillary dental arch or themandibular dental arch, corresponding to the teeth which the specificbiting guide 230 is designed for). This is exemplified in FIG. 2.Matching a shape of biting guide to that of one or more tooth of a groupof patients may be used for various reasons, such as in order to improvestability, to improve comfort of use, and so on.

It is noted that the shape and the materials of mouthpiece 210 and theone or more bite guides 230 allow partial insertion of mouthpiece 210sufficiently into the mouth of the patient to enable acquisition of thethroat (also referred to as “pharynx”) of the patient, and especially ofone or more of the tonsils (or parts of such tonsils).

Bite guide 230 and/or any other component of system 200 may be made frombiocompatible material.

As mentioned above, mouthpiece 210 and intraoral optics 240 aremechanically connected to each other. The mechanical connection betweenmouthpiece 210 and intraoral optics 240 is such that constrains aspatial relationship of intraoral optics 240 with respect to mouthpiece210 (thereby also, when bitten, to the teeth, and possibly to the mouth,pharynx, etc.) so that when the patient bites on the at least one biteguide 230, it results in that intraoral optics 240 is stabilized bymouthpiece 210 inside a mouth of the patient having a field of viewwhich includes at least part of a tonsil of the patient.

The optics of the system (intraoral optics 240 and any further opticalcomponents on the optical path between intraoral optics 240 and imagingsensor 250, if any) are intended to collect light moving in asubstantially posteroanterior direction, in the direction from the backof the throat towards the opening of the mouth. However, the optics ofthe system may be designed to collect such light having traverse (i.e.left/right) component and/or sagittal (i.e. up/down) component inaddition to the posteroanterior component.

It is noted that imaging sensor 250 may optionally be configured andoperable to capture video data, and not only still images data. It isnoted that any feature discussed in the present disclosure with respectto images and image data acquired by imaging sensor 250 may also beextended to video. Especially, since a video can be regarded as a seriesof still-images, or at least contain information which enable generatingof consecutive still images, it is noted that any feature discussed inthe present disclosure with respect to images and image data acquired byimaging sensor 250 may also pertain to any single image of a videocaptured by imaging sensor 250, in relevant cases.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of system 200, which is asystem for imaging of a throat of a patient, in accordance with examplesof the presently disclosed subject matter. In the illustrated example,system 200 includes two bite guides: a superior bite guide 231 (or“upper bite guide”) shaped as a biting groove whose curvature isdesigned to fit maxillary dental arches dimensions of a predefined groupof target patients (e.g. children between the ages of 2-4, adults,etc.), and an inferior bite guide 232 (or “lower bite guide”) shaped asa biting groove whose curvature is designed to fit mandibular dentalarches dimensions of the predefined group of target patients. It isnoted that different bite guides 230 (such as bite guides 231 and 232)may be designed to match dental arches of different predefined group oftarget patients (e.g. on set of one or more bite guides 230 to match tochildren, and another set of one or more bite guides 230 to match toadults), on either a single mouthpiece 210, or on a plurality ofinterchangeable mouthpieces 210.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, system 200 may further include one or morefasteners 290 (two in the illustrated example), for mechanicallydetachably fastening mouthpiece 210 to an external portable handheldcamera 260 in which an imaging sensor 250 (not shown in FIG. 2) ispreinstalled. The detachable fastening of camera 260 to mouthpiece 210by the one or more fasteners 290 stabilizes the imaging sensor 250included in the external camera 260 with respect to the mouth of thepatient (when the patient bites on the mouthpiece), and constrains aspatial relationship of the imaging sensor 250 with respect tomouthpiece 210 so as to provide to imaging sensor 250 via the optics ofsystem 200 a field of view (FOV) which includes at least part of one ormore tonsils of the patient, when the patient bites on the at least onebite guide. This way, imaging sensor 250 can capture an image of thethroat which includes visual representation of one or more tonsils (orparts thereof).

It is noted that camera 260 may be a dedicated camera (e.g. apoint-and-shoot camera or a digital single-lens reflex camera, DSLR),but this is not necessarily so, and camera 260 may be any portabledevice which includes optics (e.g. an objective lens) and an imagingsensor. For example, any of the following multipurpose handheldcomputers may serve as camera 260: smartphones, tablet computers,phablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc.

It is noted while crosscuts of mouthpiece 210 (parallel to the coronalplane) may be circular (e.g. as exemplified in FIGS. 2 and 8),mouthpieces 210 having non-cylindrical crosscuts (e.g. oval crosscuts)may also be used, e.g. in order to better fit a shape of the mouth.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of system200, which is a system for imaging of a throat of a patient, inaccordance with examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. Asdemonstrated in the example of FIG. 3, system 200 may optionally includetongue depressor 270 mechanically connected to mouthpiece 210 so as toenable tongue depressor 270 to depress a tongue of the patient when thepatient bites on the at least one bite guide 230.

It is noted that tongue depressor 270 may be made from a rigid (orsemirigid) material and be rigidly (or semi-rigidly) connected tomouthpiece 210, in order to transfer strength from the teeth of thepatient through mouthpiece 210 (or a connected structure) to tonguedepressor 270 for pushing down the tongue, when the patient bites onmouthpiece 210 and thereby stabilizes it. For example, tongue depressor270 may be made of plastic, metal, etc. A durable material may beselected for tongued depressor 270, if a reusable tongue depressor 270is included in system 200. It is noted that optionally, tongue depressor270 may be detachably attached to mouthpiece 210 (e.g. to be used byadults but not but children, or for connecting different sizes of tonguedepressors 270 for different audiences).

It is nevertheless noted that system 200 may be implemented without atongue depressor (e.g. as exemplified in FIG. 1), and that optionally,the aforementioned constrained spatial relationship of intraoral optics240 with respect to mouthpiece 210 enable the imaging sensor to image atleast part of the tonsil (or tonsils) when a tongue of the patient isnot mechanically forced down (or otherwise manipulated by system 200 orany other external means). Optionally, the patient may improve the fieldof view by pulling down (or by relaxing) her tongue, but this may not benecessarily in all implementations.

Referring to FIG. 21 (which is a functional block diagram illustratingan example of a system for imaging of a throat of a patient, inaccordance with examples of the presently disclosed subject matter), itis noted that other positions of the tongue may also be used forclearing the tongue away from the field of view of imaging sensor 250during acquisition. For example, system 200 may be designed such thatthe tongue of the patient will extend outside the mouth of the patientduring the acquisition, e.g. as illustrated in FIG. 21. Processor 220may be configured to trigger the acquisition of the image only when thetongue is extended outside the mouth. Processor 220 may be configured totrigger the acquisition of the image only when the tongue is extendedoutside the mouth and touches an extraoral part of system 200 (i.e. apart which is located outside the mouth of the patient duringacquisition).

Optionally, system 200 may include superior bite guide 231 and inferiorbite guide 232, while allowing the tongue of the patient to extendoutside the mouth between mouthpiece 210 and the lower lip of thepatient. Optionally, system 200 may include superior bite guide 231 andinferior bite guide 232, so that when the patient bites on bite guides231 and 232 there is an opening between mouthpiece 210 and the lower lipof the patient, where the size of this opening is large enough for thetongue to pass through and extend outside the mouth.

Optionally, system 200 may include a sensor 2102 for detecting when thetongue extends outside the mouth, where processor 220 may useinformation from sensor 2102 for determining the timing of thetriggering. Sensor 2102 may be, for example, a pressure sensor, aconductivity sensor, or any other electric sensor.

Referring to system 1200, it is noted that it may optionally also beshaped and configured for acquisition of intraoral images when thetongue extends outside the mouth in a similar manner, mutatis mutandis.Referring to methods 500 and 600, it is noted that any one of thosemethods may optionally be adapted for acquisition of intraoral imageswhen the tongue extends outside the mouth in a similar manner, mutatismutandis. Methods 500 and 600 may also include a stage of determiningwhether the tongue extends outside the mouth (e.g. based on input from asensor such as sensor 2102), and selectively triggering the imageacquisition based on result of this determining.

With respect to system 200 as a whole, it is noted that in differentimplementations, different components may be designed to be locatedinside the mouth or external to it, when the patient bites on the atleast one bite guide. As to components which are located intraorally insuch situations, such components may be designed to be positioned in theoral cavity proper, between a maxillary tooth (or teeth) and itscorresponding mandibular tooth (or teeth), or in the vestibule(especially anteriorly to the teeth).

The mouth, consists of two regions, the vestibule and the oral cavityproper. The vestibule is the area between the teeth, lips and cheeks.The oral cavity is bounded at the sides and in front by the alveolarprocess (containing the teeth) and at the back by the isthmus of thefauces. Its roof is formed by hard palate and soft palate and the flooris formed by the mylohyoid muscles and is occupied mainly by the tongue.

The positioning of various components of selected components of system200 inside or outside the mouth (and in specific positions inside themouth or external thereto) may be determined based on various factors,such as any combination of one or more of the following considerations:

-   -   a. Weight distribution with respect to the at least one bite        guide 230 (and therefore to the teeth;    -   b. Physical dimensions;    -   c. Volume, shape and/or materials of the overall intraoral part        of system 200;    -   d. Quality potential of captured image (e.g. when deciding where        to position lighting);    -   e. Functionality;    -   f. Line of Sight toward intraoral parts of interest, such as        tonsils etc.    -   g. Sensitivity to intraoral conditions (e.g. wetness,        temperature, etc.); and so on.

For example, imaging sensor 250 may be located inside the mouth orexternal to it, posteriorly to the teeth line, anteriorly thereto, orbetween corresponding maxillary and mandibular teeth.

FIG. 5 is a side view diagram illustrating an example of system 200 forimaging of a throat of a patient located with respect to a patient whobites on bite guides 230 of system 200, in accordance with examples ofthe presently disclosed subject matter. As demonstrated in the exampleof FIG. 5, imaging sensor 250 may optionally be mechanically connectedto mouthpiece 210 so as to constrain a spatial relationship in whichimaging sensor 250 is located in the oral cavity proper of the patientduring the capturing of the image. Especially, a light sensitive sensoror array (e.g. a CCD array, CMOS) of imaging sensor 250 may be locatedin the oral cavity proper during the time of acquisition of the image.In comparison, in the example of FIG. 3 imaging sensor 250 is locatedoutside the mouth during the acquisition of the image of the throat. Theimaging sensor 250 may also be positioned during image acquisition inthe vestibule, especially anteriorly to the central incisors of thepatient).

If imaging sensor 250 is located inside the mouth during the acquisitionof the image, the spatial structure of system 200 may optionally be suchthat a center of the detection array of imaging sensor 250 is locatedabove (i.e. supremely) the incisal ends of the maxillary centralincisors of the patient. That is, optionally wherein a mechanicalconnection between mouthpiece 210 and imaging sensor 250 places imagingsensor 250 at the time of capturing of the image inside the mouth, suchthat a center of the detection array of imaging sensor 250 is locatedsupremely to incisal ends of maxillary central incisors of the patient

Intraoral optics 240 (or at least part of it) may also be positionedspecifically in the oral cavity proper (e.g. posterior to aninferiormost point of any maxillary central incisor of the patient, forexample as exemplified in the examples of FIGS. 1, 3 and 5). That is,optionally the mechanical connection between mouthpiece 210 andintraoral optics 240 constrains a spatial relationship of intraoraloptics 240 with respect to the at least one bite guide 230 which is suchthat intraoral optics 240 (and at least a posteriormost opticalcomponent of which) are located in the oral cavity proper when thepatient bites on the at least one bite guide 230. Therefore, theintraoral optics 240 is such case are located posteriorly to theincisors during the capturing of the image of the throat.

It is noted that the position within the oral cavity proper of variouscomponents of system 200 as constrained by respective mechanicalconnections of system 200 may be relatively close to the teeth.Optionally, a posteriormost part of intraoral optics 240 are located nomore than 2 cm posteriorly to the incisors of the patient. Optionally, aposteriormost part of imaging sensor 250 is located no more than 2 cmposteriorly to the incisors of the patient. Optionally, the imagesensitive sensor or array of imaging sensor 250 is located no more than2 cm posteriorly to the incisors of the patient. Optionally, aposteriormost component of lighting 280 is located no more than 2 cmposteriorly to the incisors of the patient.

Having such one or more components of system 200 located in the oralcavity proper, but relatively close to the opening of the mouth mayenable to capture quality images of the throat and the tonsils (or partsthereof) while still keeping system 200 very tolerable for insertioninto the mouth by a wide variety of patients (even such which arereluctant to insert artificial objects deep into their mouth cavity orthroat. Furthermore, such a positioning may aid in minimizing the sizeand/or weight of system 200, and especially of the parts of it supportedby the teeth.

As suggested above, various components of system 200 may be locatedintraorally, but in the vestibule rather than in the oral cavity proper,when the patient bites on the at least one bite guide 230. Suchcomponents may be positioned during such biting between the teeth andthe lips or the cheeks, and may include for example any one or more ofthe following: imaging sensor 250 (and especially a light sensitivesensor or array thereof), intraoral optics 240 (or parts thereof),lighting, one or more bite guides 230 (or parts thereof), electriccircuitry, and so on.

It is noted that positioning of components of system 200 inside themouth of the patient may differ not only in the position along theanteroposterior direction, but also in the positioning along thesuperoinferior direction. Specifically, some components of system 200(e.g. lighting 280, imaging sensor 250 and especially its sensor, someor all parts of intraoral optics 240, or any combination of two or moreof the above) may be located posterosuperiorly to an inferiormost pointof any maxillary central incisor of the patient, when the latter biteson the at least one bite guide 230. Optionally, imaging sensor 250 isoperable to capture the image when a posteriormost optical component ofintraoral optics 240 is located posterosuperiorly to the inferiormostpoint of any maxillary central incisor of the patient. Optionally,imaging sensor 250 is operable to capture the image when a posteriormostoptical component of intraoral optics 240 is located anterosuperiorly tothe palatine tonsils of the patient (occasionally also called thefaucial tonsils).

It is noted that if light is directed through an optical path(hereinafter referred to as “the traversing optical path”) passingthrough mouthpiece 210 (from at least one optical components ofintraoral optics 240 located in the oral cavity proper, to an imagingsensor located extraorally or in the vestibule), such a traversingoptical path may be located symmetrically between the maxillary teethand the mandibular teeth (along the superoinferior axis), but this isnot necessarily so.

Optionally method 500 may include a stage, preceding stage 520, whichincludes obtaining image data from the imaging sensor (stills and/orvideo) prior to the capturing, processing the image data for recognizingat least a part of a selected body part (e.g. the tonsil, the uvula, andselectively triggering the capturing of stage 520 in response to aresult of the recognizing.

FIG. 6 is a side view diagram illustrating an example of system 200 forimaging of a throat of a patient located with respect to a patient whobites on bite guides 230 of the system, in accordance with examples ofthe presently disclosed subject matter.

Optionally, mouthpiece 210 may include an opening 212 through which thetraversing optical path passes (at least part of this path). The openingmay be hollow, but this is not necessarily so, and parts or whole of theopening may be made from a transparent (or semi-transparent) materialssuch as glass, plastic, and various optical polymers and co-polymers(e.g. Acrylic, Polystyrene, Polycarbonate, Cyclic Olefin Polymer (COP),Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC), NAS, etc.), and may include variousreflecting materials (e.g. coating sides of opening 212, or serving asmirrors for deflection of light rays along the opening).

As exemplified in FIG. 6, optionally opening 212 is located closer to atop part of mouthpiece 210 than to a bottom part of mouthpiece 210. Thetop part of mouthpiece 210 is its part which is closer to the maxillaryteeth when bitten by the patient, and the bottom part of mouthpiece 210is its part which is closer to the mandibular teeth when bitten by thepatient.

Such a configuration facilitates locating an entrance of the opticalpath which directs light to imaging sensor 250 relatively superiorlywithin the mouth, while the mouthpiece is held by the patient in arelaxed fashion between maxillary and mandibular teeth.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of system200, which is a system for imaging of a throat of a patient, inaccordance with examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. Itis noted that various optional components are illustrated in FIG. 7, andthat system 200 may include any combination of one or more of theillustrated components, in addition to these discussed with respect toFIG. 1, as well as other components not illustrated in FIG. 7 (e.g.tongue depressor 270, a USB socket, etc.).

As aforementioned, system 200 may be designed to be used by the patientherself, or by another person. As exemplified in FIG. 7, system 200 mayfurther include at least one handgrip 2040 for gripping of system 200 bythe patient (using one or both hands), for carrying the system 200 bythe patient to a position in which the patient can bite on the at leastone bite guide 230. As shown in the illustrated example, the one or morehandgrip 2040 may be designed to ergonomically facilitate holding andmoving of system 200 by a patient located next to its posterior end(which is ought to be inserted into the mouth of the patient). It isnoted that handgrips designed to be used by a person other than thepatient may also be used (in addition or instead of this designed forthe patient), as well as generic handgrips which may be used by eitherthe patient or another person. It is noted that the one or morehandgrips 2040 (if implemented) are not necessarily external tomouthpiece 210, and handgrips 2040 may also be designed by shapingmouthpiece 210 to include a topography (e.g. various indentations) whichfacilitate gripping or holding of the system by a person.

It is noted that if the patient inserts mouthpiece 210 partially intoher own mouth, sometimes it may be hard for her to tell if system 200 ispositioned correctly in her mouth (i.e. in a way which enables capturinga quality image of the throat, or an image which meets other predefinedcriteria such as light level, focusing level, etc.). Therefore, a userinterface may be included in system 200, for indicating to the user(whether it's the patient or another operator) when system 200 isproperly held by the patient, as well as other messages (if soconfigured). For example, such a user interface may be a speaker 2030, amonitor 2020, light emitting diode (LED) indicators, and so on. Othermessages to the user may pertain to the time in which the patient needto hold the mouthpiece in her mouth, to the direction in which it shouldcorrect the positioning of the mouthpiece in her mouth, and so on.

Generally, system 200 may include a user interface operable to indicateto the patient when a location of mouthpiece 210 enables capturing ofthe image by imaging sensor 250.

System 200 may also include processor 220, which is operable to receivedata from one or more sensors, to process it, and to transmit variousmessages based on the results of the processing. For example, processor220 may be operable to receive information from any one of the followingsensors: imaging sensor 250, piezoelectric sensors, light-levelindicators, user interfaces (e.g. press button, touch screen), and soon. Additional information which may be used for the processing ofprocessor 220 is, for example, information received throughcommunication module 2080 from an external system (e.g. from a computeroperated by a medical professional in a remote location).

Based on the processing of information obtained, processor 220 may issuemessages to various components of system 200. For example, it caninstruct imaging sensor 250 when to acquire images and which imageacquisition parameters to use; it can decide which images includesufficient details of the throat or parts thereof (e.g. tonsils), and tosend such one or more images via communication module 2080 to anexternal system, and so on.

It is noted that processor 220 may be implemented as dedicated hardwareprocessor (designed specifically for the functionalities of system 200),implemented, for example, as a digital signal processor (DSP), amicrocontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any combination of two or morethereof. Processor 220 may be implemented as a hardware processor(whether dedicated or not), firmware processor, software processor, orany combination thereof.

It is noted that system 200 may include more than one processor (e.g.more than one chip, for example, a controller, a processor in charge ofimaging sensor 250, a processor in charge of communication module 2080,and/or a controller in charge of display 2020, and so on). As a matterof convenience, all such processors (if more than one is implemented)are collectively referred to as “processor 220”.

For example, optionally processor 220 may be configured and operable totrigger capturing of the image by imaging sensor 250 in response toinformation received from at least one detector of system 220.Information that would lead to triggering of image acquisition mayarrive from any combination of one or more of the above identifiedsensors, and/or from other sensors.

Optionally, processor 220 may be operated to process image date (stillsor video) collected by imaging sensor 250 in order to recognize aselected body part (e.g. tonsil, uvula) or part thereof, and toselectively trigger capturing of the image by imaging sensor 250 inresponse to results of the processing. For example, processor 220 maytrigger the capturing of the image after it recognized that at leasthalf of a tonsil is visible by imaging sensor 250.

It is noted that the image of the throat acquired by system 200 may beused for diagnosis of various medical conditions (whether throatspecific or inflicting other areas as well). For example, some suchmedical conditions include: sore throat, tonsillitis (an infection inthe tonsils), pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx), strep throat,mononucleosis, gastric reflux, and so on.

Processor 220 may be configured and operable to: (a) process one or moreimages acquired by imaging sensor 250 for deciding whether predefinedconditions relating to one or more specific medical conditions (e.g.sore throat, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, strep throat, mononucleosis,gastric reflux) are met, and (b) selectively control transmission ofimages which meet the predefined conditions to a remote system viacommunication module 2080.

It is noted that various image processing algorithms which are known inthe art may be used for analyzing the acquired images by processor 220,such as edge detection, color comparison, image comparison, and so on.Many image processing algorithms for analysis of inspected image of thehuman body are known in the art, and may be used for the purpose of thepresent application, as will be clear to a person who is of skilled inthe art. For example, few such algorithms are described in the article“Image Processing for Skin Cancer Features Extraction” by Md. AmranHossen Bhuiyan, Ibrahim Azad, Md. Kamal Uddin, published inInternational Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 4,Issue 2, February 2013, which is incorporated here in its entirety byreference, and which may be implemented herein mutatis mutandis.

It is noted that processor 220 may be located in a casing of mouthpiece210, or immediately connected thereto (and not, for example, by a datacable without any mechanically stable physical connection). Optionally,a distance between processor 220 and a posteriormost bite guide 230 ofsystem 200 is smaller than 10 centimeters.

Referring to lighting 280, which is used to cast light into the mouthand/or throat of the patient, it is noted that such lighting may belocated intraorally or extraorally. Lighting 280 may include a singlelight source (e.g. as exemplified in FIG. 4), or a plurality of lightsources (e.g. ex exemplified in FIG. 7). The one or more light sourcesof lighting 280 may be a Light-emitting diode (LED) light sources, orany other type of light sources which can be incorporated into ahandheld portable system such as system 200, many such types are knownin the art. Lighting 280 may be configured to provide continuous light.Lighting 280 may be configured to provide flash light of short duration.

System 200 may optionally include display 2020 (also referred to asmonitor 2020), which is operable to display images. Optionally, display2020 may be operable to display images concurrently to the capturing ofthe image by the imaging sensor (when the patient bites onto system200), but this is not necessarily so. Optionally, display 2020 may beconfigured and operable to display images which are based on image datacaptured by imaging sensor 250, and especially images of the throat ofthe patient. It is noted that display 2020, if implemented, mayoptionally be mechanically connected to the mouthpiece, so that itsweight may be supported by the mouthpiece when held by the teeth of theclient, thereby not requiring holding system 200 by hands at all times.

Displaying of images captured by imaging sensor 250 on display 2020 (andespecially images of the throat) may be used for diagnosis, forimproving image quality and/or getting a better view of the throat (byproviding a reference for the person operating system 200), and so on.It is noted that optionally, processor 220 may provide additional visualinformation for display 2020 to be displayed on display 2020—eithertogether with the image data of imaging sensor 250, or separatetherefrom.

For example, additional layers of information may be overlaid above theimage of the throat. For example, display 2020 (or another userinterface output) may be use to display instructions indicative of a wayin which the user should change a state of system 200 (e.g. move system200), so as to enable acquisition of the image of the throat of thepatient. This may be achieved, for example, by displaying For example,the display may be used to display arrows indicating to which directionsystem 200 should be moved to obtain a better view of the tonsils. Inanother example, the display may be used to display information which isindicative of whether sufficient light is available for the acquisitionof the image or not. It is noted that visual instructions for a requiredchange in a state of the system may be provided not only by a screen,but may also be provided by one or more dedicated visual aids (e.g.LEDs, shaped lights, etc.).

Other information which may be displayed on display 2020 is system 200(e.g. power level, status, etc.), information received from a remotesystem (e.g. diagnosis and/or instructions of a medical expert,videoconference which such an expert), and so on. If an external camera260 is connected to mouthpiece 210, display 2020 may be a display of theexternal camera 260 (e.g. of a cellphone, or a DSLR camera). Informationfrom a remote system to be displayed on monitor 2020 may be obtained bycommunication module 280.

System 200 may include a user interface (e.g. display 2020, a speaker,etc.) for providing instructions to the patient to carry out one or moreactions which are intended to clear the optical path between the lensand the tonsils (or other parts of the throat). Such actions may resultin lower of the tongue by the patient. Such actions may include, forexample, placing the tongue outside the mouth, uttering a specificsound, etc. he instructions may be textual, verbal, and may also includeplaying the sound which should be uttered by the patient. The method mayinclude instructing execution of at least one action by the patient forclearing an optical path between the intraoral optics and the tonsil(such as the actions discussed above).

It is noted that display 2020 may be located in a casing of mouthpiece210, or immediately connected thereto (and not, for example, by a datacable without any mechanically stable physical connection). Optionally,a distance between display 2020 and a posteriormost bite guide 230 ofsystem 200 is smaller than 10 centimeters.

It is noted that optionally, instead of (or in addition) to displayinginformation on display 2020, processor 220 may provide displayinformation (e.g. images, video, text) to an external system viacommunication module 280, for displaying on a monitor of the externalsystem. For example, if a display of system 200 is located in ananterior end of the system and therefore is not viewable by the patientwhen system 200 is in her mouth (or if system 200 does not have adisplay at all), the image of the throat (or other visual information)may be sent to a cellular phone of the patient, to be presented to herin a comfortable manner.

Referring to communication module 2080, it is noted that communicationmodule 2080 may be configured and adapted to communicated with anexternal system over a wired connection (e.g. a data cable such as a USBcable), over wireless communication channel (e.g. Wi-Fi connection orBluetooth connection), or both. If communication module 2080 is operablefor wireless communication, it can serve as a wireless communicationmodule. Furthermore, communication module 2080 may be operable tocommunicate with a remote system in an intermediated manner, via one ormore intermediating communication systems. For example, communicationbetween communication module 2080 and the remote system (which may be,for example, a computer used by a medical expert located in a differentcity) may be routed over a cellular telephony network, in which case itis intermediated by a series of communication system of the cellularnetwork providers.

System 200 may also include memory unit 2050, which may include one ormore tangible memory units and/or intangible memory units. Memory unit2050 may be used to store images acquired by imaging sensor, processedimages processed by processor 200 based on image data acquired byimaging sensor 250, information received from an external system viacommunication module 2080, operational parameters and data used byprocessor 220 or other components, and so on.

Optionally, system 200 may include power source 2010 for providingenergy (e.g. in the form of electricity) to other component of system200.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of system200, which is a system for imaging of a throat of a patient, inaccordance with examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. Itis noted that system 200 may be used for imaging other parts of thepatient in addition to the throat and/or mouth. Especially, system 200may be used for imaging inside other body orifices, such as the ears,the nostrils, the rectum, and the vagina, and/or the skin of thepatient.

Optionally, system 200 may include a casing 2100 which includes imagingsensor 250 and possibly other components of system 200 as well. Casing2100 includes at least one mechanical fastener 2110 for connecting ofspecula used for investigating body orifices.

Mouthpiece 210 in such case is separable from casing 2100, and itincludes at least one fastener 290 for mechanically detachably fasteningmouthpiece 210 to the at least one mechanical fastener 2110 of casing2100. It is noted that many connection mechanisms may be used forfasteners 290 and 2100. Few examples of such connection mechanisms are amagnet, a vacuum suction cup, hook and loop fasteners (“Velcro”), glue,screws, nuts and bolts, friction, pressure, etc. The many otherconnection mechanisms known in the art may also be used.

In addition to mouthpiece 210 (which may be used for imaging inside themouth body orifice), system 200 further includes at least one speculumfor examination of a body orifice selected from the group consisting of:ear, nostril, rectum, and vagina. In FIG. 8 speculum 212 which is an earspeculum, thereby enabling acquisition of images from inside the ears,such as images of the ear canal and of tympanic membrane. This may beused to facilitate treatment and management of the patient's earconditions, like otitis media.

It is noted that if system 200 includes additional speculum (orspecula), or at least includes one or more fasteners 2110 for connectingexternal specula, imaging sensor 250 may be further configured andoperable to capture an image of the body orifice when the respectivespeculum is at least partly inserted into a respective body orifice ofthe patient. It is noted that components of system 200 which support theimage acquisition in the mouth (e.g. lighting 280) may also be used foracquisition of images in other body orifices, or alternatively thatequivalent components may be included in system 200, mutatis mutandis.

Optionally, casing 2100 may include power source 2010 for providingenergy (e.g. in the form of electricity) to other component includedwithin casing 2100, or to units connected thereto (e.g. connected usinga USB connection).

FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an architecture ofa system for performing a self-guided medical examination, in accordancewith examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. It can beappreciated that user 102 and patient 103 are located at patientlocation 100. User 102 can in some cases be patient 103 whose medicalexamination is required (in such cases, even though user 102 and patient103 are shown as separate entities in the drawings, they are in fact thesame entity). In other cases, user 102 can be a person that will beperforming the medical examination of patient 103.

For the purpose of performing a medical examination, user 102 operatessystem 200 as a diagnostic device, as further detailed below. In somecases, user 102 also operates a patient workstation 114, as furtherdetailed below. Patient workstation 114 can be any computer, including apersonal computer, a portable computer, a cellular handset or anapparatus with appropriate processing capabilities, including a computerand/or an apparatus which can be, for example, specifically configuredfor that purpose. It is to be noted that in some cases, patientworkstation 114 can be incorporated within system 200. System 200 mayinclude (or is otherwise associated with) at least one processor 220(e.g. digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller, a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), etc.) and a memory unit 2050 (e.g. ROM, hard disk,etc.). Processor 220 may be configured to receive instructions andcontrol the components and operations of system 200.

In some cases system 200 can be configured to communicate with patientworkstation 114. The communication between system 200 and patientworkstation 114 can be realized by any communication means, e.g. viawired or wireless communication. It can be noted that user 102, patient103, system 200 and patient workstation 114 are located at patientlocation 100.

System 200 can be configured to acquire various data as discussed above,and especially image data (e.g. of the throat of the patient). Theacquired data can be transmitted (directly from system 200 or throughpatient workstation 114) to trained personnel workstation 122 located attrained personnel location 120 and/or to central system 130. Centralsystem 130 and trained personnel workstation 122 can be any computer,including a personnel computer, a portable computer, a cellular handsetor an apparatus with appropriate processing capabilities, including acomputer and/or an apparatus which can be, for example, specificallyconfigured for that purpose. The acquired data can be transmitted forexample via Internet 116. It is to be noted that the data can betransmitted while utilizing other known communication alternatives, suchas a cellular network, VPN, LAN, etc. It is noted that central system130 may be located in the same building as system 200, but this is notnecessarily so, and it may even be located in another city or in anothercountry. Likewise, trained personnel location 120 may be located in thesame building as system 200 (and/or in the same building as centralsystem 130), but this is not necessarily so, and it may even be locatedin another city or in another country.

Central system 130 includes patient & check plan repository 136 in whichvaried data relating to the patient is maintained. Such data caninclude, for example, patient identification number, patient name,patient age, patient contact details, patient medical data (such asdiseases, sensitivities to medicines, etc.), check plans data (asfurther detailed below), etc. Central system 130 can further include amedical examination repository 134 in which data acquired by system 200and patient workstation 114 is maintained. Such data can include, forexample, results of medical examinations performed using diagnosticsdevice (such as ear readings, lungs or heart recorded sound, bloodpressure, body temperature, etc. as further detailed below). Centralsystem 130 further includes management system 132 configured to forwardreceived data to a selected trained personnel workstation 122 (forexample an available trained personnel workstation 122 or trainedpersonnel workstation 122 with the shortest queue).

It is to be noted that when providing a central system, there may bemore than one trained personnel location 120 and trained personnel 124as central system 130 allows for a distributed approach in which datacan be received by the central system 130 from multiple patientlocations and transferred by it to multiple trained personnel locations.Thus, in case the transmitted data is received at central system 130,the data is saved in medical examination repository 134 and managementsystem 132 can transmit the received data to trained personnel location120 (e.g. via Internet 116. It is to be noted that the data can betransmitted while utilizing other known alternatives, such as a cellularnetwork, VPN, LAN, etc.). In some cases, management system 132 can alsomanage other processes such as, subscribing patients, planningscheduling of patients to available trained personnel, etc.

It is to be noted that central system 130 is optional to the solutionand that central system 130 can be part of the trained personnel system120, In addition the communication between the patient location 100 tothe trained personnel location 120 can be implemented directly withoutthe use of or need for a central system 130.

When the transmitted data (e.g. images of the throat of the patient) isreceived at trained personnel workstation 122, the data can be saved intrained personnel data repository 123 that can be connected to trainedpersonnel workstation 122. A trained personnel 124 (e.g. a doctor, anurse, a medic, etc., including any other person with the know-how andskill to acquire and/or analyze medical data), located at trainedpersonnel location 120, can retrieve and review the acquired data, forexample using trained personnel workstation 122. It is to be noted thatpatient workstation 114, trained personnel workstation 122 and centralsystem 130 can include a display (e.g. LCD screen), and a keyboard orany other suitable input/output devices. In some cases, trainedpersonnel 124 can provide feedback to user 102, for example bytransmitting data back to patient workstation 114. Such feedback caninclude, for example, analysis of the received data, request to receivemore data, medical treatment instructions, invitation to furtherexamination, etc. Alternatively or additionally, trained personnel 124can transmit feedback data to central system 130, which, in turn, cantransmit the feedback data to patient workstation 114 (e.g. via theInternet, cellular network, etc.).

It is noted that system 200 may transmit to the trained personnel variedmedical data, e.g. images from various body orifices or of the skin, aswell as other medically significant data (e.g. temperature, humidity,recorded sounds, etc.).

FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating one example ofsystem 200 as a diagnostic device which is configured to perform medicalexamination of the patient, in accordance with examples of the presentlydisclosed subject matter. System 200 may optionally include, inter alia,diagnostic sensors module 402, guiding module 406, examination logicmodule 408, check plan repository 410, and data repository 416. Out ofthese components, data repositories may be implemented on memory 4050,and processing module may be implemented as part of processor 420.System 200 can further include navigation module 404, reading andverification logic module 312 and calibration logic module 414. It isnoted that system 200 may include various combinations of thesecomponents, and does not necessarily have to include all of them (ifany).

Examination logic module 408 can be responsible for operating system 200for performing a medical examination of patient 103. System 200 can beactivated for example by User 102. Upon activation, user 102 canoptionally indicate the patient to be checked. Such indication can be inthe form of inputting patient 103 identification details (e.g. patientid, patient name, etc.), for example in patient workstation 114. Inother cases such indication can be in the form of selecting a specificpatient 103, for example from a list of known patients. Such list ofknown patients can be displayed on patient workstation 114. In somecases, such list of known patients can be displayed on a displayconnected to system 200. Details of known patients to be presented onsuch list of known patients can be retrieved, for example, from one ormore of: data repository 416, check plan repository 410, trainedpersonnel data repository 123, patient & check plan repository 136 orany other location operatively connected to system 200 on which patientdata is stored. In further cases system 200 can automatically identifypatient 103 by using methods of body identification such as facerecognition, fingerprint reading or any other mean of biometricidentification. Such automatic identification can utilize, for example,navigation camera 420 or any other peripheral, reader or sensorconnected to system 200 or to patient workstation 114 that enableacquiring data relevant to the automatic identification. It is to benoted that other methods of indicating or identifying a patient to bechecked can be utilized as well.

In some cases, after receiving patient 103 details, examination logicmodule 408 can be configured to retrieve data relating to a check plan.Such check plan data can be stored on one or more of: check planrepository 410, patient & check plan repository 136, trained personneldata repository 123 or any other location operatively connected tosystem 200 on which patient specific check plan data can be stored. Acheck plan can define a series of medical examinations and data to beacquired by system 200. Such medical data acquisition can be performedby user 102 on patient 103. The medical data can include, for example,body temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, throat image,mole image, ear image, etc. The check plan can in some cases be ageneric check plan (e.g. a series of medical examinations that can bestandard pre-determined medical examinations). In other cases the checkplan can be defined according to a certain medical condition of patient103 (e.g. a check plan for patients with cancer can include a series ofcancer specific required medical examinations, a check plan for patientswith high blood pressure can include a series of high blood pressurespecific required medical examinations, etc.). In further cases, thecheck plan can be specifically defined for patient 103, for exampleaccording to a trained personnel 124 decision (e.g. a physicianinterested in monitoring specific medical data of a specific patient candecide upon a patient specific check plan). The check plan can includeinformation, inter alia about the examination process, steps and logic,and predefined reading parameters such as type of sensor to be used(still image vs. video), required length of reading (sound or videorecording) in terms of time (e.g. seconds), and reading data thresholds(for example definition of acceptable minimal and/or maximal readinglimits to be used as a quality parameter of a reading.

Upon retrieval of the check plan to be performed, examination logicmodule 408 can be configured to utilize navigation module 404 in orderto enable determination of current diagnostics device spatialdisposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific partthereof).

It is to be noted that the term spatial disposition or the like canrelate to spatial distances, spatial angles (including orientations), orany other spatial reference that is used for characterizing a spatialrelationship between two objects, e.g. between system 200 and patient's103 body (or a specific part thereof).

Navigation module 404, if implemented, is responsible for the operationof various sensors utilized for that purpose. Navigation module 404 canutilize pre-stored reference data for establishing data about system 200current and desired spatial dispositions with respect to patient's 103body (or a specific part thereof, e.g. her mouth). The pre-storedreference data can consist of image based reference data and/or system200 spatial disposition based reference data, or any other relevantreference data, including data that can be read by system 200 navigationmodule 404 or diagnostic sensors 402. The reference data can be forexample images of patient 103 (external patient images and/or internalpatient images of internal body parts), general organ images, devicecoordinates, data of relativity between spatial dispositions withrespect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof), etc. Suchpre-stored reference data can be stored on patient & check planrepository 136, trained personnel data repository 123 or any otherlocation operatively connected to system 200 on which image basedreference data is stored. Upon establishment of system 200 currentspatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specificpart thereof), navigation module can calculate a route to a desiredsystem 200 spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or aspecific part thereof), that can be defined, for example, by the patientspecific check plan. The route calculation can be performed continuouslyor periodically (e.g. every pre-determined time interval), for exampleuntil arrival to the desired system 200 spatial disposition with respectto patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof).

In some cases, examination logic module 408 can be configured to utilizeguiding module 406 in order to provide various guidance data instructinguser 102 how to maneuver system 200 to the desired system 200 spatialdisposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific partthereof). Such guidance data can include, inter alia, voice commands,image display, system 200 vibrations, etc.

Such guidance data can be presented to user 102 continuously orperiodically (e.g. every pre-determined time interval), until system 200arrives at the desired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103body (or a specific part thereof, from which the medical examination canbe performed. Such guidance data can be calculated according to therespective calculation of a route to the desired system 200 spatialdisposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific partthereof), as calculated by navigation module 404.

Upon arrival to the desired system 200 spatial disposition with respectto patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof), for example asindicated by the patient specific check plan, examination logic module408 can be configured to utilize reading and verification logic module412 in order to acquire medical data of patient 103. Upon arrival todesired system 200 spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103body (or a specific part thereof), reading and verification module 412can be configured to verify that system 200 is located at the desiredspatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specificpart thereof) when acquiring medical data of patient 103.

Reading and verification module 412 can be further configured toinstruct diagnostics sensor module 402 to prepare to acquire medicaldata of patient 103, and to perform acquisition of such medical data, asfurther detailed below, inter alia with reference to FIG. 14. Afteracquisition of medical data of patient, reading and verification module412 can be configured to verify that the acquired data meets pre-definedstandards (e.g. a required length of reading, reading data thresholds,etc.). In case the acquired data does not meet the pre-definedstandards, system 200 can in some cases be configured to instruct user102 to perform the required repositioning and reorienting thereof inorder to bring system 200 to the desired spatial disposition withrespect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof). Followingrepositioning and reorienting of system 200, reading and verificationlogic module 4012 can be configured to retry acquiring the medical dataof patient 103.

System 200 can be further configured to utilize diagnostics sensormodule 402 that can be configured to acquire medical data of patient103. Diagnostics sensor module 402 can be responsible for the operationof various sensors used for acquiring various medical data of patient103. Such medical data of patient 103 can be used for example fordiagnostics by trained personnel 124. Diagnostics sensor module 402 isfurther discussed below, inter alia with reference to FIG. 11.

In some cases, system 200 can further include a calibration logic module414. Calibration logic module 414 can be configured, inter alia, toacquire reference data relating to medical examinations of patient 103.In some cases, the reference data is acquired by system 200 during aninitial calibration performed by trained personnel 124. For example, aphysician can perform a medical examination of patient 103 and system200 can, for example, record the medical examination performed bytrained personnel 124, including the acquired medical data. The recordeddata, including the acquired medical data, can be stored, for example,on one or more of: check plan repository 410, patient & check planrepository 136, trained personnel data repository 123 or any otherlocation operatively connected to system 200 on which data relating topatient 103 can be stored. It is to be noted that system 200 can furtherinclude data repository 416. Data repository 416 can be configured tostore various data, including, inter alia, data relating to one or morepatients and various medical data thereof (e.g. data acquired during amedical examination of the patients), as further detailed below.

In some cases, diagnostics device can further include check planrepository

210. Check plan repository 410 can be configured to store various data,including, inter alia, data relating to patient specific check plans, asfurther detailed below.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example ofdiagnostic sensors configured to acquire medical data, in accordancewith examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. Diagnosticssensors module 402 can include, inter alia, image based sensors 310,sound based sensors 320, as well as other sensors not shown in thedrawing. Diagnostic sensors 402 can be designed for taking a specificorgan reading (such as mouth image reading, as discussed above) andgeneral organ readings (such as external skin reading, eye reading,etc.). Diagnostic sensors 402 can be modular e.g. some sensors can beattached/detached to diagnostic device 104, in accordance with therequired medical examination.

Image based sensors 310 can include one or more light sources 280. Lightsources 280 can be Light Emitting Diodes, or any other light sourceknown in the art. Light sources 280 can be utilized for example to lightthe areas of which an image is to be acquired in order to provide forsufficient image quality (e.g. a quality that will enable image analysisby trained personnel 124).

Image based sensors 310 can further include image examinationperipherals 312. Image examination peripherals 312 can include, interalia, various components that enable safe access to various body parts,such as a human ear, throat, etc. Such components can be, for example,made of plastic and can be attached to system 200. Such components can,for example, have a generic physical structure that fits various bodyparts regardless of the fact that different people, at different ages,have different body parts structure (e.g. a child has a smaller ear thana grown person and the image examination peripherals 312 can be designedto fit substantially any ear structure, etc.). Image examinationperipherals 312 can aid user 102 in positioning the system 200 in thedesired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or aspecific part thereof so that acquisition of image based medical datacan be performed. Image based sensors 310 can further include imagingsensor 250. Imaging sensor 250 can be based on standard sensors such ascomplementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) or charged couple device(CCD) or any other applicable sensor known in the art. Optionally,imaging sensor 250 can be designed to fit image acquisition of multiplebody parts or organs, regardless of size or distance (e.g. it can havethe required resolution and/or size and/or light sensitivity to fitmultiple body parts or organ readings). It is to be noted that imagingsensor 250 can be the same sensor as the navigation image acquisitionsensor (if implemented), and vice versa.

Image based sensors 310 can further include examination optics 314.

Examination optics 314 can be, for example, camera lenses. Examinationoptics 314 can be designed to fit various wavelengths, field depth, wideor narrow lens angle, etc. and therefore can fit various types of imagereadings as well as various types of organ sizes and structures.Examination optics 314 enable image acquisition sensor 250 to acquireimage based medical data, having the required properties (e.g.examination optics 314 should enable acquisition of an image that coversthe entire area that is required for analysis by trained personnel 124,etc.). In some cases, data acquired from examination optics 314 andimage acquisition sensor 250 can be later analyzed and/or transformedand/or aligned to fit the specific required organ area reading (e.g. inorder to fit a quality analysis by trained personnel 124, the specificrequired image area can be cut of the entire image or can be alignedusing image analysis and or image transformation or manipulationtechniques and/or algorithms known in the art).

Sound based sensors 320 can include one or more sound acquisitionsensors 324. Sound acquisition sensors 324 can be, for example, amicrophone, or any other device capable of acquiring sound data. Soundacquisition sensors 324 can fit multiple sound frequencies that can beadjusted to fit recording of specific organ sound (as, for example,heart sound frequencies are different than lung sound frequencies).Sound acquisition sensors 324, can also include various abilities toassist acquiring a quality sound such as noise cancellation filters,etc.

Sound based sensors 320 can further include sound examinationperipherals 322.

Sound examination peripherals 322 can include, inter alia, variouscomponents that enable easy fit, comfortable adjustment and safe accessto various body parts, such as a human chest, stomach, lung, etc. Suchcomponents can be, for example, made of plastic, rubber, etc. and can beattached to system 200. Such components can, for example, have a genericphysical structure that fits various body parts regardless of the factthat different people, at different ages, have different body partsstructure (e.g. a child has a smaller chest than a grown person and thesound examination peripherals 322 can be designed to fit substantiallyany chest structure, etc.). Sound examination peripherals 322 can aiduser 102 in positioning system 200 in the desired spatial dispositionwith respect to patient 103 body (or a specific part thereof) in a waythat will enable acquisition of sound based medical data (e.g. allowminimizing any external noise that can interfere with the soundacquisition).

Revering to FIG. 9, it is noted that optionally, patient workstation 114can further include patient location camera (not illustrated) and/orpatient location microphone (not illustrated), that can be used, interalia, for acquiring image (including video) and/or sound data of patient103. Such data can be used by trained personnel 124 for example forviewing and/or hearing patient 103 and/or user 102 and/or system 200 bytrained personnel 124 as well as allowing video conferencing, as furtherdetailed below. It is to be noted that in some cases, patientworkstation 114 can be incorporated within system 200.

As detailed above, in some cases system 200 can be configured tocommunicate with patient workstation 114. The communication betweensystem 200 and patient workstation 114 can be realized by anycommunication means, e.g. via wired or wireless communication. It can benoted that user 102, patient 103, system 200 and patient workstation 114are located at patient location 100.

It is to be noted that central system 130 is optional to the solutionand that central system 130 can be part of any trained personnel system120, In addition the communication between trained personnel workstation122 and system 200 and/or patient workstation 114 (also referred tohereinafter as: “TP-patient connection”) can be implemented directlywithout the use of, or need for, a central system 130. It is also to benoted that TP-patient connection can be implemented using a distributedapproach i.e. multiple patients can be served by one trained personand/or one patient can be served by multiple trained persons. In suchcase, patient workstation 114 can include for example a local repositorycontaining one or more connections information to a relevant trainedpersonnel workstation 122, and vice-versa.

When the transmitted data (including image and/or voice data of patient103) is received at trained personnel workstation 122, the data can bedisplayed on trained personnel workstation 122. For that purpose,trained personnel workstation 122 can include, inter alia, a display(e.g. LCD screen). It is to be noted that the image and voice data ofpatient 103 can be streamed to trained personnel workstation 122.Trained personnel 124 can view the received data on display and provideuser 102 with navigational directions for navigating system 200 to adesired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or aspecific part thereof, e.g. mouth, throat, ear) from which medical datais to be acquired. For this purpose, trained personnel workstation 122can include a camera (not illustrated) and/or a microphone (notillustrated) that can be used for acquiring image (including video)and/or sound data of trained personnel 124. It is to be noted thatduring the TP-patient connection a video conference can take place whileutilizing, for example, the cameras and microphone in both patientworkstation 114 and trained personnel workstation 122.

For the purpose of providing instructions to user 102, trained personnel124 can provide such instructions to user 102, which are transmitted topatient workstation 114 or to system 200. Patient workstation 114 orsystem 200 can be configured to present the instructions to user 102,for example visually on a display (e.g. LCD screen included in patientworkstation 114 or system 200). Another exemplary alternative is topresent the instructions to user 102 vocally while translating thereceived data to voice commands (using known methods and techniques).

Upon arrival to a desired system 200 spatial disposition with respect topatient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof), trained personnel 124can instruct user 102 to bite on bite guides 230, and/or to acquiremedical data using system 200. In addition, trained personnelworkstation 122 and/or guiding device 1124 can enable trained personnel124 to acquire the required medical data by themselves. In such a case,trained personnel workstation 122 will transfer trained personnel 124instruction to system 200, which will automatically acquire the requiredreadings based on the received instructions (when the patient bites onthe at least one bite guide 230, if imaging the throat, or otherwise ifimaging other body parts).

It is to be noted that trained personnel workstation 122 system 200 canalso be configured to use the predefined reading acquisition parameters,as defined in check plan repository 210 and/or patient and check planrepository 136 or any other location operatively connected to trainedpersonnel workstation 122 and/or system 200 on which patient data isstored. After medical data is acquired, diagnostics device can beconfigured to transmit the acquired data to trained personnelworkstation 122 and/or to central system 130. When the transmitted datais received at trained personnel workstation 122, the data can be savedin trained personnel data repository 123 that can be connected totrained personnel workstation 122. Trained personnel 124 (e.g. a doctor,a nurse, a medic, etc., including any other person skilled to analyzethe transmitted data), located at trained personnel location 120, and/orat central system 130, can retrieve and review the acquired data, forexample using trained personnel workstation 122. It is to be noted thatpatient workstation 114, trained personnel workstation 122 and centralsystem 130 can include a display (e.g. LCD screen), and a keyboard orany other suitable input/output devices. In some cases, trainedpersonnel 124 can provide feedback to user 102, for example bytransmitting data back to patient workstation 114. Such feedback caninclude, for example, analysis of the received data, request to receivemore data, medical treatment instructions, invitation to a furtherexamination, etc. Alternatively or additionally, trained personnel 124can transmit feedback data to central system 130, which, in turn, cantransmit the feedback data to patient workstation 114 (e.g. via theInternet, cellular network, etc.).

FIG. 12A is a functional block diagram illustrating an example ofbitable camera stabilization system 1200, in accordance with examples ofthe presently disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 12B is a functional block diagram illustrating an example ofbitable camera stabilization system 1200, when connected to externalportable handheld camera 3000, in accordance with examples of thepresently disclosed subject matter.

Bitable camera stabilization system 1200 includes at least the followingcomponents:

-   -   a. Bitable support 1210 which includes at least one bite guide        1230 for stabilizing bitable support 1210 with respect to teeth        of the patient when the patient bites on the at least one bite        guide 1230.    -   b. Intraoral optics 1240 operable to collect light from the        throat of the patient and to direct the light towards an        internal optical path 1212 intrinsic to bitable support 1210.        Intraoral optics 1240 is mechanically connected to bitable        support 1210 in a mechanical connection which constrains a        spatial relationship of intraoral optics 1240 with respect to        bitable support 1210 so that when the patient bites on the at        least one bite guide 1230: intraoral optics 1240 is stabilized        by bitable support 1210 inside a mouth of the patient, having a        field of view which includes at least part of a tonsil of the        patient.    -   c. At least one fastener 1290 for mechanically detachably        fastening bitable support 1210 to an external portable handheld        camera 3000 which includes imaging sensor 3500, so as to create        an optical path between intraoral optics 1240 and imaging sensor        3500, the optical path including internal optical path 1212 and        an external optical path 3012 passing within portable handheld        camera 3000.

It is noted that bitable camera stabilization system 1200 may be part ofsystem 200. Especially, bitable support 1210 may serve as mouthpiece210, the one or more bite guides 1230 may serve as the one or more biteguides 230, intraoral optics 1240 may serve as intraoral optics 240, andone or more fasteners 1290 may serve as the optional one or morefasteners 290 of system 200.

For reasons of brevity and clarity, the discussion relating to any oneor these components of system 200 is not repeated in full with respectto these aforementioned corresponding components of system 1200. It isnoted that all of the discussion offered above with respect to any oneof the components of system 200 (including functionally, shape and size,material, variations, interrelation between components, and so on) isrelevant to the corresponding component of system 1200.

Especially: (a) all of the discussion offered above with respect tomouthpiece 210 is applicable, mutatis mutandis, to bitable support 1210;(b) all of the discussion offered above with respect to the at least onebite guide 230 is applicable, mutatis mutandis, to at least one biteguide 1230; (b) all of the discussion offered above with respect tointraoral optics 240 is applicable, mutatis mutandis, to intraoraloptics 1240; and (d) all of the discussion offered above with respect tothe at least one fastener 290 is applicable, mutatis mutandis, to the atleast one fastener 290.

For similar reasons of brevity and clarity, the discussion relating toany one or the components of external portable handheld camera 260 isnot repeated in full with respect to external portable handheld camera3000, and the discussion relating to imaging sensor 250 is not repeatedin full with respect to imaging sensor 3500. It is noted that all of thediscussion offered above with respect to any one of these two componentsof system 200 (including functionally, shape and size, material,variations, interrelation between components, and so on) is relevant tothe corresponding component of system 1200.

System 1200 is a portable handheld system. That is, the physicaldimensions of system 1200, as well as its weight and the materials it ismade of, enable a person to carry it on her person unassisted, and tooperate it without any external mechanical support. System 1200 istherefore sufficiently small and light to be operated while held in oneor both hands (or in some cases, as will be demonstrated below, held bythe teeth of the patient). Depending on its designated target audience,system 1200 may be designed to be sufficiently small and light to behandled by an unassisted child.

Like system 200, system 1200 may be used by the patient herself forimaging her own throat (whether for her own use, or to be used byanother person or system, such as a medical personal or a medicalsystem). However, system 1200 may also be used for imaging the throat ofthe patient by another person.

FIG. 12C is a functional block diagram illustrating an example ofbitable camera stabilization system 1200, when connected to externalportable handheld camera 3000 and when the patient bites on the biteguides 1230 of system 1200, in accordance with examples of the presentlydisclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C are functional block diagrams illustratingexamples of bitable camera stabilization system 1200, in accordance withexamples of the presently disclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are functional block diagrams illustrating examples ofbitable camera stabilization system 1200, when connected to externalportable handheld camera 3000, in accordance with examples of thepresently disclosed subject matter.

Optionally, at least one fastener 1290 is operable to mechanicallydetachably fasten bitable support 1210 to external portable handheldcamera 3000 for stabilizing its imaging sensor 3500 with respect to theat least one bite guide 1230, so that when the patient bites on the atleast one bite guide 1230, imaging sensor 3500 is stable with respect toa throat of the patient.

Optionally, the spatial relationship of intraoral optics 1240 withrespect to bitable support 1210 constrained by the mechanical connectionbetween the two, enables intraoral optics 1240 to collecting lightarriving from at least part of the tonsil of the patient when a tongueof the patient is not mechanically forced down.

Optionally, system 1200 may further include tongue depressor 1270 whichis mechanically connected to bitable support 1210 so as to enable tonguedepressor 1270 to depress a tongue of the patient when the patient biteson the at least one bite guide 1230. It is noted that all of thediscussion offered above with respect to the tongue depressor 270 isapplicable, mutatis mutandis, to tongue depressor 1270.

Optionally, he mechanical connection between bitable support 1210 andintraoral optics 1240 constrains a spatial relationship of intraoraloptics 1240 with respect to the at least one bite guide 1230 such thatintraoral optics 1240 are located in the oral cavity proper of thepatient when the patient bites on the at least one bite guide.

Optionally, the mechanical connection between bitable support 1210 andintraoral optics 1240 constrains a spatial relationship of intraoraloptics 1240 with respect to the at least one bite guide such that aposteriormost optical component of intraoral optics 1240 is locatedposterosuperiorly to an inferiormost point of any maxillary centralincisor of the patient when the patient bites on the at least one biteguide 1230.

Optionally, system 1200 may further include handgrip 3040 which isconnected to bitable support 1210 and which is operable to be used forcarrying system 1200 by the patient to a position in which the patientcan bite on the at least one bite guide 1230. It is noted that all ofthe discussion offered above with respect to the handgrip 2040 isapplicable, mutatis mutandis, to handgrip 3040.

Optionally, an internal optical path 1212 is located closer to a toppart of bitable support 1210 than to a bottom part of the bitablesupport 1210.

Optionally, system 1200 may include lighting 1280. All of the discussionoffered above with respect to lighting 280 is applicable, mutatismutandis, to lighting 1280.

Optionally, camera 3000 may include processor 3200. All of thediscussion offered above with respect to processor 220 is applicable,mutatis mutandis, to lighting processor 3200. It is noted that, whilenot illustrated, system 1200 may also include a processor, e.g. forcontrolling operation of one or more components of system 1200.

Optionally, camera 3000 may include communication module 3800. All ofthe discussion offered above with respect to communication module 2080is applicable, mutatis mutandis, to communication module 3800.

Optionally, camera 3000 may include at least one mechanical fastener3900 for connecting to one or more fasteners 1290 of system 1200.

Optionally, system 1200 and/or camera 3000 may include a power source(e.g. power source 3100), for providing energy (e.g. in the form ofelectricity) to other component of the respective unit.

Optionally, camera 3000 may include a monitor 3400. All of thediscussion offered above with respect to monitor 2020 is applicable,mutatis mutandis, to monitor 3400.

Referring to system 200 and/or to system 1200, it is noted thatoptionally, the system may include one or more bearing to which at leastone optical component of the intraoral optics is connected and whichenable to move that at least one optical component inside the mouth withrespect to the mouthpiece of the system, when the patient bites onto thebite guide. This may be used, for example, in order to allow scanningwithin the mouth, in order to acquire visual data from a larger field ofview. The acquisition of image data may be executed when the relevantcomponents of intraoral optics is positioned in different locationsand/or orientations within the mouth of the patient.

For example, such a bearing (or bearings) may be used to enablehorizontal scan within the oral cavity, vertical scan within the oralcavity, circular or elliptical scan within the oral cavity, or othertypes of scanning.

The movement of the intraoral optical component may be done manually byan operator of the system (whether the patient or another user), e.g. bya handle that extends beyond the mouthpiece. The movement of theintraoral optical component may be done by the system itself, using oneor more engines and one or more controller, which can operate togetherin order to move the at least one optical component of the intraoraloptics with respect to the mouthpiece of the system.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating an example of method 500, inaccordance with examples of the presently disclosed subject matter.Method 500 is a method for imaging of a throat of a patient. Referringto the examples set forth with respect to the previous drawings, method500 may be executed by system 200. It is noted that for the reason,together with aiming for brevity and clarity of the disclosure, thedescription of method 500 does not repeat all the details variationsdiscussed with respect to system 200. It is therefore noted that everyfunctionality, detail and variation discussed with respect to system 200(and the various components of which) may be implemented as part ofmethod 500, mutatis mutandis.

Method 500 includes at least stage 510 and stage 520.

Stage 510 includes stabilizing intraoral optics with respect to a mouthof the patient, by a mouthpiece which is coupled to the intraoral opticsand which is stabilized with respect to the mouth by teeth of thepatient which bite on at least one bite guide. It is noted that both theintraoral optics and the mouthpiece are parts of a portable handheldsystem.

The intraoral optics and the mouthpiece may be fixed parts of such aportable handheld system, but one or more of those components (theintraoral optics and the mouthpiece) may be detachably attached to othercomponents of the portable handheld system. Those components (theintraoral optics and the mouthpiece) are parts of the same portablehandheld system at least during the stabilizing of method 500.

Referring to the examples set forth with respect to the previousdrawings, stage 510 may be executed by mouthpiece 210, where theintraoral optics are intraoral optics 240, and the at least one biteguide is the one or more bite guides 230. Referring to the examples setforth with respect to the previous drawings, the portable handheldsystem may be system 200.

Stage 520 is executed during the stabilizing of stage 510, and includescapturing light directed by the intraoral optics, to provide an image ofthe throat which include at least part of a tonsil of the patient.Referring to the examples set forth with respect to the previousdrawings, stage 520 may be executed by imaging sensor 250. It is notedthat the light directed by intraoral optics may also pass throughextraoral optics before being collected (e.g. by the imaging sensor),but this is not necessarily so.

Some further examples and options of method 500 are discussed withrespect to FIGS. 17, 18 and 19.

FIG. 17 illustrates optional sub-stages of the stabilizing, inaccordance with examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. FIG.18 illustrates an optional sub-stage of the capturing, in accordancewith examples of the presently disclosed subject matter.

Optionally, stage 510 may include stage 511 of constraining a spatialrelationship of the intraoral optics with respect to the mouthpiece sothat when the patient bites on the at least one bite guide: theintraoral optics is stabilized by the mouthpiece inside a mouth of thepatient having a field of view which includes at least part of a tonsilof the patient.

Optionally, stage 510 further includes stage 512 of stabilizing withrespect to the mouth of the patient an imaging sensor which ismechanically connected to the mouthpiece and which executes thecapturing of the image. Referring to the examples set forth with respectto the previous drawings, stage 512 may be executed by mouthpiece 210.

Optionally, stage 510 may include stage 513 of stabilizing the intraoraloptics within the oral cavity proper of the patient.

Optionally, stage 510 may include stage 514 of stabilizing aposteriormost optical component of the intraoral opticsposterosuperiorly to an inferiormost point of any maxillary centralincisor of the patient.

Optionally, stage 520 may include stage 521 of capturing the image whena tongue of the patient is not mechanically forced down.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating an example of method 500, inaccordance with examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. Itis noted that method 500 may include any combination of one or more ofthe additional optional stages illustrated in FIG. 19 (if including anyof them).

Optionally, method 500 may include stage 530 of depressing a tongue ofthe patient concurrently to the capturing of stage 520. Referring to theexamples set forth with respect to the previous drawings, stage 530 maybe executed by tongue depressor 270.

Optionally, method 500 may include stage 540 of indicating to thepatient when a location of the mouthpiece enables capturing of theimage. Referring to the examples set forth with respect to the previousdrawings, stage 540 may be executed by a user interface of system 200such as monitor 2020 and/or speaker 2030, e.g. based on instructionreceived from processor 220. It is noted that method 500 may include astage of indicating to a user other than the patient when a location ofthe mouthpiece enables capturing of the image (referring to the examplesset forth with respect to the previous drawings, such indicating mayalso be executed by a user interface of system 200 such as monitor 2020and/or speaker 2030, e.g. based on instruction received from processor220).

It is noted that method 500 (e.g. as part of stage 540, but notnecessarily so) may include instructing the client to carry out one ormore actions which are intended to clear the optical path between thelens and the tonsils (or other parts of the throat). Such actions mayresult in lower of the tongue by the patient. Such actions may include,for example, placing the tongue outside the mouth, uttering a specificsound, etc. The instructing may be executed by system 200, by anotherelectronic system (e.g. a smartphone or another computer which managesthe imaging process), or by another person. The instructions may betextual, verbal, and may also include playing the sound which should beuttered by the patient.

Optionally, method 500 may include optional stage 570 of triggering thecapturing of the image by imaging sensor 250 stage 520 in response toinformation received from at least one detector of system 220.Information that would lead to triggering of image acquisition mayarrive from any combination of one or more of the above identifiedsensors discussed with respect to system 200 (including the imagingsensor which captures the image in stage 520), and/or from othersensors.

For example, stage 570 may include of 220 may be operated to processingimage date (stills or video) collected by the imaging sensor of stage520 250 in order to recognize a selected body part (e.g. tonsil, uvula)or part thereof, and to selectively trigger capturing of the image bythe imaging sensor 250 in response to results of the processing. Forexample, processor 220 stage 570 may include triggering the capturing ofthe image after it recognized that at least half of a tonsil is visibleby the imaging sensor 250.

Optionally, method 500 may include stage 550 of displaying imagesconcurrently to the capturing. Stage 550 may be executed by a displaywhose distance from a posteriormost bite guide out of the at least onebite guide is smaller than 10 centimeters. Referring to the examples setforth with respect to the previous drawings, stage 550 may be executedby display 2020. It is noted that the displaying may include displayingan image of the throat (in which case it is executed after stage 520),or other images (e.g. images which demonstrate that the FOV ofacquisition does not include any tonsil part, in which case stage 550may be executed before stage 520).

Method 500 may include displaying of other information on a displaywhich is visible to the user or to another one or more people. Suchother information may be displayed with or without the image. Forexample, method 500 may include displaying instructions indicative of achange in a state of the system which is required for enablingacquisition of the image. Such a change may be a change in location, inposition, in other operational parameters, etc.

Optionally, method 500 may include stage 560 of providing to an externalsystem image data of the throat of the patient, for displaying on amonitor of the external system. Referring to the examples set forth withrespect to the previous drawings, stage 560 may be executed bycommunication module 5080. As discussed above with respect to system200, this may be used for example when a display of the portablehandheld system is not visible to the patient, or if such a display doesnot exist. It is noted that the providing may include transmitting tothe external system an image of the throat including at least part of atonsil of the patient (in which case it is executed after stage 520), orother images (e.g. images which demonstrate that the FOV of acquisitiondoes not include any tonsil part, in which case stage 550 may beexecuted before stage 520).

FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating an example of method 600, inaccordance with examples of the presently disclosed subject matter.Method 600 is a method for imaging of a throat of a patient. Referringto the examples set forth with respect to the previous drawings, method600 may be executed by the patient, or by the patient together withanother user.

Stage 610 of method 600 includes inserting partly into a mouth of thepatient a mouthpiece of a portable handheld system which includes animaging sensor which is mechanically connected to the mouthpiece. Theinserting includes inserting into the mouth intraoral optics that aremechanically connected to the mouthpiece. Referring to the examples setforth with respect to the previous drawings, stage 610 may includepartly into the mouth of the patient parts of system 200 (especiallyintraoral optics and 240 a part of mouthpiece 210). It is noted that theinserting of stage 610 may include moving and directing the portablehandheld system when partially inserted in the mouth of the patient. Forexample, such moving and/or directing may be executed in order to directa field of view of the portable handheld system to include one or moreparts of the mouth, pharynx, etc.

It is noted that optionally, stage 610 is carried out by the patient.Optionally, stage 610 may be carried out by another user, or by acombined work of the patient and the other user.

It is noted that different degrees of insertion of the portable handheldsystem into the mouth may be required, e.g. based on the physical sizeof the portable handheld system, on the intended position within themouth of various components of the system (e.g. the intraoral optics),on the level of comfort the patient has with inserting the system partlyinto her mouth, and so on. It is noted that all of the positions andconfigurations of the different parts of system 200 into the mouth maybe the final state of the stage of inserting. All of these positions andconfigurations are not repeated here explicitly for reasons of brevity.

Stage 620 of method 600 includes biting by the patient on at least onebite guide of the mouthpiece, for stabilizing the mouthpiece withrespect to the mouth, thereby stabilizing the intraoral optics withinthe mouth having a field of view which includes at least part of atonsil of the patient.

Stage 630 of method 600 includes resuming the stabilizing at least untilthe imaging sensor captures an image of the throat of the patient whichincludes at least part of a tonsil of the patient.

After the image is acquired, method 600 may continue with opening themouth by the patient, so as to release a holding of the portablehandheld system.

After the image is acquired, method 600 may continue removing theportable handheld system from the mouth of the patient, after thepatient opened the mouth for releasing the portable handheld system.

It is noted that the image captured by the imaging sensor may be lateranalyzed by a medical expert (e.g. a medical doctor, or another medicalpersonnel), and the results may be provided to the patient, as well asrecommendations for treatment.

Optionally, method 600 may further include optional stage 640 ofreceiving from a medical expert a result of a diagnosis by the medicalexpert which is based on the image. The receiving may include receivingthe result of the diagnosis via the portable handheld system, and mayalso include receiving the results in other means (e.g. to anothercomputer, in meeting, in a phone call, etc.).

Optionally, method 600 may further include optional stage 650 ofreceiving from a medical expert a medical recommendation for treating amedical condition of the patient, identified by the medical expert basedon the image. The receiving may include receiving the medicalrecommendation via the portable handheld system, and may also includereceiving the medical recommendation in other means (e.g. to anothercomputer, in meeting, in a phone call, etc.). Such medicalrecommendations may pertain, for example, to various medical conditionswhich may be detected by the images obtained by the system, such asPharyngitis, Tonsillitis, strep throat, mononucleosis, gastric reflux,and so on etc.

It is noted that moving the tongue of the patient downwards within hermouth (i.e. superiorly) may facilitate acquisition of the image whichincludes as much data of the tonsil as possible. Such moving down of thetongue may be achieved by depressing the tongue town mechanically, orwithout such a mechanical depression.

Optionally, method 600 may further include uttering by the patient avoice at least partly concurrently to the resuming, thereby lowering thetongue of the patient within the mouth for exposing the at least part ofthe tonsil to the intraoral optics. The uttering may be executed as partof stage 630 and/or in parallel (or partly in parallel) to stage 630.The uttering may be instructed by system 200, by another electronicsystem (e.g. a smartphone or another computer which manages the imagingprocess), or by another person. The instructions for uttering may betextual, verbal, and may also include playing the sound which should beuttered by the patient.

Reverting to the stage of inserting, it is noted that optionally, theinserting may include gripping a handgrip of the portable handheldsystem by the patient and moving the portable handheld system by thepatient by moving the handgrip.

Optionally, the inserting may be executed by the patient in response toindications by the portable handheld system indicating when a locationof the mouthpiece enables capturing of the image.

Optionally, the inserting may be executed by the user other than thepatient, in response to indications by the portable handheld systemindicating when a location of the mouthpiece enables capturing of theimage.

Optionally, the inserting is executed by the patient (or by anotheruser) in response to instructions by the portable handheld systemindicating a change in a state of the system which is required foracquisition of the image.

Optionally, the inserting may be executed by the patient in response toimage data captured by the imaging sensor which is displayed on amonitor of an external system detached from the portable handheldsystem. Optionally, the inserting may be executed by the user other thanthe patient, in response to image data captured by the imaging sensorwhich is displayed on a monitor of an external system detached from theportable handheld system.

It is noted that the patient may use the portable handheld system foracquiring images of other parts of her body (e.g. skin or other bodyorifices), at different occasions, e.g. as discussed with respect toFIG. 8. For example, method 600 may further include:

-   -   a. detaching the mouthpiece from a casing of the portable        handheld system which includes the imaging sensor;    -   b. connecting to the casing a speculum for examination of a body        orifice selected from the group consisting of: ear, nostril,        rectum, and vagina; and    -   c. holding the portable handheld system when the speculum is at        least partly inserted into a respective body orifice of the        patient at least until the imaging sensor captures an image of        the body orifice.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, andequivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is,therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended tocover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spiritof the invention.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above are cited byway of example, and various features thereof and combinations of thesefeatures can be varied and modified.

While various embodiments have been shown and described, it will beunderstood that there is no intent to limit the invention by suchdisclosure, but rather, it is intended to cover all modifications andalternate constructions falling within the scope of the invention, asdefined in the appended claims.

1. A system for imaging of a body orifice of a patient, the systemcomprising: an imaging sensor operable to capture light directed theretofrom within the body orifice to provide an image of the body orificewhich comprises at least part of a selected body part within the bodyorifice of the patient; optics operable to collect the light from thebody orifice of the patient and to direct the light towards the imagingsensor; and a processor configured to: process the image of the bodyorifice of the patient collected by the imaging sensor in order torecognize the at least part of the selected body part within the bodyorifice of the patient; and selectively trigger capturing of the imageby the imaging sensor in response to results of the processing.
 2. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the imaging sensor is operable tocapture the image when a posteriormost optical component of the opticsis located posterosuperiorly to an inferiormost point of any maxillarycentral incisor of the patient.
 3. The system according to claim 1,further comprising a display, the display being operable to displayinstructions indicative of a required change in a state of the system,for enabling acquisition of the image.
 4. The system according to claim1, wherein the optics are mechanically coupled to a mouthpiececomprising at least one bite guide for stabilizing the mouthpiece withrespect to teeth of the patient when the patient bites on the at leastone bite guide, and wherein the mechanical coupling between themouthpiece and the optics constrains a spatial relationship of theoptics with respect to the mouthpiece so that when the patient bites onthe at least one bite guide, the optics is stabilized by the mouthpieceinside a mouth of the patient having a field of view which comprises atleast part of a tonsil of the patient.
 5. The system according to claim4, wherein the spatial relationship of the optics with respect to themouthpiece as constrained by the mechanical coupling, enables theimaging sensor to image at least part of a tonsil of the patient when atongue of the patient is not mechanically forced down.
 6. The systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising a tongue depressor mechanicallycoupled to a mouthpiece so as to enable the tongue depressor to depressa tongue of the patient when the patient bites on the at least one biteguide.
 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured and operable to provide the image to an externalsystem operated by a medical professional in a remote location, fordisplaying on a monitor of the external system.
 8. The system accordingto claim 1, wherein the system comprises at least one speculum forexamination of the body orifice; and wherein the imaging sensor isfurther operable to capture an image of the body orifice when thespeculum is at least partly inserted into a respective body orifice ofthe patient.
 9. A method for imaging of a body orifice of a patient, themethod comprising: capturing, by an imaging sensor, light directed byoptics from within the body orifice to provide an image of the bodyorifice which comprises at least part of a selected body part within thebody orifice of the patient; processing, by a processing resource, theimage of the body orifice of the patient collected by the imaging sensorin order to recognize the at least part of the selected body part withinthe body orifice of the patient; and selectively triggering capturing ofthe image by the imaging sensor in response to results of theprocessing, wherein the optics are part of a portable handheld system.10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the optics are stabilizedwith respect to a mouth of the patient, by a mouthpiece which is coupledto the optics and which is stabilized with respect to the mouth by teethof the patient which bite on at least one bite guide, and wherein thestabilizing further comprises stabilizing with respect to the mouth ofthe patient the imaging sensor which is mechanically coupled to themouthpiece and which executes the capturing of the image.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 10, wherein the stabilizing comprises stabilizing aposteriormost optical component of the optics posterosuperiorly to aninferiormost point of any maxillary central incisor of the patient. 12.The method according to claim 9, further comprising displaying, on adisplay: (a) instructions indicative of a required change in a state ofthe portable handheld system, for enabling acquisition of the image. 13.The method according to claim 9, further comprising depressing a tongueof the patient when the patient bites on the at least one bite guideusing a depressor mechanically coupled to a mouthpiece.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 9, wherein the capturing comprises capturing theimage when a tongue of the patient is not mechanically forced down. 15.The method according to claim 9, further comprising providing the imageto an external system operated by a medical professional in a remotelocation, for displaying on a monitor of the external system.
 16. Anon-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer readableprogram code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code,executable by at least one processor of a computer to perform a methodcomprising: capturing, by an imaging sensor, light directed by opticsfrom within the body orifice to provide an image of the body orificewhich comprises at least part of a selected body part within the bodyorifice of the patient; processing, by a processing resource, the imageof the body orifice of the patient collected by the imaging sensor inorder to recognize the at least part of the selected body part withinthe body orifice of the patient; and selectively triggering capturing ofthe image by the imaging sensor in response to results of theprocessing, wherein the optics are part of a portable handheld system.